South Korea wasn't part of my travel plans this year. I wasn't ready to explore this part of the country, especially in the middle of their frigid winter. But, the tables have turned when we got bumped off from our flight to Manila from Denpasar last year. I had no choice but to avail their free roundtrip tickets to any regional destination before January 31st.

Since I have been craving for a new adventure, I chose Korea despite their harsh weather. Well, it turned out to be an amazing experience.

To maximize our five days, we entered South Korea via Busan and exited via Incheon/Seoul.

Busan is the second largest city in South Korea, and it is more laidback than Seoul. Touring the city in one day is possible since most of the tourist spots are very accessible, and are not that far from each other. We went to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a Buddhist temple built in the 13 century AD. It is one of the few temples in South Korea built on the seaside. It offers a spectacular view of the sea. We also visited the famed Haeundae Beach and fortunately, we weren't attacked by the flock of seagulls. It felt weird though because we were wearing four layers of clothes at the beach.

The city is surrounded by towering mountains and cerulean seas. That's why, every corner of the city offers a majestic view. If you're not acrophobic, Busan's Skywalk is the place to be. The balcony's floor is made up of hard and transparent plexiglass. That doesn't stop there as Gamcheon Cultural Village, known for its twisting alleys and brightly painted houses, also offers a panoramic view of Busan.

Shopping is part of the Korean culture, that's why a visit to Nampodong is a must. This is a perfect avenue to burn your Wons.

The following day, we took a bus from Busan to Seoul, and the trip took us around four hours. Along the way, we were greeted by a long expanse of terrain covered with snow. Seoul is much colder than Busan, probably due to its geography. We explored much of their shopping districts like Myeongdong and Hongkik University, the ancient Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Cultural Village, and their famed Nami Island.

For five days, we braved the bitter cold of Korea's winter, suffered a few minor injuries (haplas lang ang katapat LOL), and took a LOT of #OOTD photos. Back at home, we can't wear trench coats, scarves, and earmuffs because it's perpetually hot and humid. In Korea, their winter had pushed our physical limits. But hey, I am glad that we endured and survived Korea's coldest winter to date.

Kansameda, Korea! I'd be back there soon to explore more of the countryside... BUT DEFINITELY NOT ON WINTER!

PS: I have finally made my first travel vlog! I hope you like it!